Building an Empire in Game of Thrones (REWORKED VERSION)-Chapter 76: Games Within Games

With the passage of 2 Months, Maximus had received some very important news that made him extremely happy. Hela, Arianne, and Lilith had all gotten pregnant around the same time. Hela was the most proactive of the bunch, and she was the first one to find to announce her pregnancy, while Arianne and Lilith were a few weeks after.

Each member of the Imperial Harem used a fertility potion to increase their chances of getting pregnant early on. Each one of them wanted to bear Maximus's child as quickly as possible. Arianne wanted her child to be the first one birthed in order to gain an edge over the others.

She was perfectly fine with the whole Imperial harem thing, but sometimes she felt overwhelmed by how powerful the others were than her. She got along with all of them as they formed a close sisterhood with each other, it was just that they were all much better than her in everything.

Yet despite her insecurities, Arianne knew her position was as great as it would ever be. She may not have wielded necrotic flames like Hela, or great magic like Merlin, but she had been raised in the serpent's nest of Sunspear, taught to read men and women like maps.

Her pregnancy gave her a new edge, a symbol of House Martell's bloodline now forever woven into the future of the Imperial Union. It wasn't just about being first; it was about being irreplaceable. And if her child was a son, the implications would be enormous.

Lilith, on the other hand, didn't care for such games. She relished the thrill of motherhood like she did battle, another conquest, another responsibility she would dominate. As the first of Maximus' chosen to join him, she had long since accepted her place as the quiet, unmovable pillar of the Harem. Her loyalty to Maximus was unquestioned, and she believed that their child would be the strongest.

Hela didn't hide her pride either. She announced her pregnancy with her usual theatrical flair, appearing during a Council meeting, casually declaring, "By the way, I'm creating life now. Isn't that ironic?"

Even Merlin cracked a smile at how stupid the announcement was. Arianne burst out laughing not even able to hold her laughter back. She attended several of these meetings and often times felt overwhelmed by the things that were discussed, so when Hela came in and said something stupid, she felt a sigh of relief.

Back in Westeros, the tides of war were beginning to shift.

The Riverlords, backed by Robb Stark's northern host, had begun pushing into the western lands, burning supply routes and striking at key Lannister holdings. Tywin Lannister was forced to leave Harrenhal and march west to meet them. That left the capital more vulnerable than before.

In the shadows of King's Landing, Varys moved like a ghost. Though he served the Iron Throne in appearance, his loyalties remained unclear. The whispers that reached his little birds spoke of too many kings and too few crowns. The arrival of the Imperial Union into Westerosi politics changed the very foundation of the game, and Varys, ever the planner, began to consider the unthinkable, an alliance.

'Perhaps the realm does not need a king, he thought. Perhaps it needs an Emperor.'

Meanwhile, Viserys had just turned 22 and was reading about the state of his homeland. The Lannisters and Baratheon's had caused the Continent to be split up into various factions all vying for control over the crown. Viserys was very different from his cannon counterpart.

He had grown up with his mother and with Maximus and a few other people as sort of father figures. He was taught the truth about his father which caused him to criticize the actions and things his father did but also recognize that his father was a product of his time.

Having gone to the Imperial Academy of Excellence from 18-22, he was now going through the Imperial War Academy and would graduate in 4 years.

As he grew up, he was told by his mother and others that his future would be decided only by one person, himself. He would control what he wanted to do in his future, but only through his conviction and determination will Maximus decide to help him.

It would be a lie to say that he didn't want to restore their House to glory like before. He wanted House Targaryen to rise again, but this time, different than it was in the past. He wanted to reform the way the House and the Kingdom worked. And he believed that under Maximus's leadership and support, he could do just that. He had some time to think about, so he wanted to wait until he graduated before he decided what he really wanted to do.

For Daenerys, she had just reached the age of 14 and was still in school learning alongside others. She had become a well-known person throughout Heaven's Reach because of her compassion and her motivation to do good. She loved doing community service and everyone admired her for it.

However, not everyone revered the young princess. Some harbored jealousy over the attention she received while others simply didn't like her. They judged her for being born into one of the highest-ranking families yet choosing to mingle with the commoners. Nonetheless, Daenerys paid them no attention, choosing instead to continue on with her endeavors.

None of these haters could actually do anything as she was protected by the emperor and nobody wanted to anger the person who had a cult following of millions of people.

Meanwhile, in the far North, Jon Snow continued his training alongside Samwell Tarly under Ser Alliser Thorne as recruits of the Night's Watch at Castle Black. Jon had learned about the death of his father Eddard, but he had an oath to keep under the Night's Watch. He decided to leave the fighting with his brother Robb, while he continued his training at Castle Black.

Far North of the wall, Maximus had purchased and dispatched 2,000 Viking axemen (20,000 system points) and set up a small camp on the shoreline of the region. This camp would be used to start sending Shadowhand agents throughout the region to keep tabs on what was going on and the movements of the Night King.

Another task the Vikings were ordered to do was to start helping the people beyond the wall. To do this, a surplus of food was sent, and the Vikings would offer this food to the surrounding villages. This would be the first step to begin the integration of the people into the Imperial Union sometime in the future.

———

As 299 AC rolled around, Ned Stark and his daughters were finally able to escape aboard a ship to Heaven's Reach. Arriving at Pentos, Ned was taken outside of the city, where he boarded an Imperial airship. Just approaching this massive airborne fortress left Ned speechless. The vessel was larger than any ship he'd ever seen, no sails, no oars, just a massive floating ship that traveled over land. Sansa clutched his arm, awestruck. Arya, wide-eyed, couldn't stop pacing, trying to see every angle of it.

"It flies?" Ned asked the escorting officer.

The armored man gave a short nod. "It flies. Welcome aboard the Stormbreaker, Lord Stark."

Once aboard, the family was given quarters more luxurious than anything Ned had seen even in Winterfell's grandest rooms. The interior had dark wood and golden inlays. There were runes etched into the walls which was the protective magic engraved into the hull. Meals were brought swiftly, warm, spiced, and foreign, but delicious.

The journey to Heaven's Reach took two days.

By the time the ship began its descent toward Heaven's Reach, he had the same reaction as anybody who saw the city for the first time. The view from the airship shocked all three Starks.

When they disembarked, a small royal guard awaited them, dressed in black and gold. Leading them was a tall man wearing armor and a had cape flowing behind him. His hair was short and grey-streaked.

This man escorted them inside of the Palace where they were brough before Maximus.

Ned stepped forward, "Emperor Maximus," he said carefully. "I owe you thanks, for saving my daughters. And myself."

Maximus shook his head. "You don't owe me anything, Stark. You were wronged by your King who brought you into this game of thrones and almost killed by your Queen. I don't exactly have a good opinion of Queen Cersei or the Lannisters."

Arya stepped forward next eager to ask her questions. "Is it true you killed a man with your bare hand? Ripped his heart out?"

"Arya," Sansa whispered, mortified at what her sister just asked the emperor. Maximus chuckled hearing Arya's quirky personality before responding, "It is."

Arya grinned like she had just found her new hero.

"I brought you here not just for safety," Maximus continued, his tone turning serious. "But because I believe the North will have a part to play in what's coming."

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Ned raised a brow. "What's coming?"

Maximus glanced up at the sky, where wyverns still soared, and his voice lowered. "Winter. A real one. And things darker than snow are stirring beyond the Wall. Your son Robb is a good man. But the wars of kings are distractions. I have larger plans for this world. I want the North at my side, not buried in Lannister gold or Baratheon pride."

Ned's jaw clenched. "We've never knelt easily."

"I'm not asking you to kneel," Maximus replied. "It's up to you to decide what will happen in the future."

Sansa and Arya listened in silence. Sansa watched her father carefully, already understanding the weight of these words. Arya looked ready to jump at the offer.

"I'll consider it. But I'll not sell my people to another crown, even one that flies."

Maximus nodded. "That's all I ask. Consider it. Talk to your daughters. See the truth for yourself."

As he said this, a royal guard had whispered something in his ear. Stannis Baratheon had called for the aid of several sellsword companies who were stationed out of either Braavos or Pentos due to them being banned from moving through Imperial land.

"Interesting," Maximus said. Then turned back to Ned. "Take your time. Rest, then when you're ready, you can depart for the North and see your sons and wife once again."

As he walked away, Arya whispered, "I like him."

Sansa frowned. "He's terrifying."

Ned remained silent as they were escorted to guests rooms. This whole game of thrones scheme that was transpiring was not something he wanted to be a part of. Yet his son had already put them into the game so he may not have a choice.